North Rainier – Front Porchhttp://frontporch.seattle.gov
Seattle Department of Neighborhoods news and eventsFri, 09 Dec 2016 00:20:23 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.6.1Join Us for FREE Ice Cream at CityScoophttp://frontporch.seattle.gov/2016/08/03/cityscoop/
Wed, 03 Aug 2016 18:42:39 +0000http://frontporch.seattle.gov/?p=5114Join the City of Seattle for CityScoop, a fun way to share your ideas with City staff while enjoying free ice cream. The City has important topics on which we need your input, so we invite you to relax in our tents, provide us your feedback, and enjoy a free treat courtesy of Full Tilt Ice Cream.

CityScoop will be open from 1 – 3pm on Saturday, August 13. You’ll find us on Rainier Avenue S. between Hudson and Brandon Streets just south of the Rainier Valley Heritage Festival and on the route of Summer Parkways 2016, the fun family biking event and party. Translators will be on hand to assist visitors as well.

Mayor Murray recently issued an Executive Order directing the city to approach outreach and engagement in an equitable manner. Putting an equity lens on our approaches is bold and, yes, brave. It shows a commitment to practices that address accessibility and equity.

What does this mean?

We often hear that meetings can feel like we are “checking a box.” The Mayor’s action means we can create processes that are more relationship-based and build authentic partnerships.

It means that we can create plans that are culturally sensitive, which includes an emphasis on translated materials.

It means we broaden access points, identify obstacles and turn them into opportunities.

What else does this mean?

It means we have an opportunity to recreate, re-envision and reconcile many lingering issues, including defining the difference between neighborhoods and communities, providing clarity about roles, and creating a system of engagement that builds partnerships with, and between, communities throughout the city of Seattle.

It means that we will be working to expand choices and opportunities for community members throughout this city, recognizing a special responsibility to plan for the needs of those who face barriers to participation.

It means that we’ll work with city offices and departments on community involvement to ensure that they are effective and efficient through the wise use and management of all resources, including the community’s time.

And it means we will expand the toolbox and make some investments in digital engagement.

Seattle is a unique city, and we are fortunate to have so many valuable partners currently at the proverbial table. Those partners play an important role and that role will continue. While we are appreciative of the countless hours our volunteers spend making our city better, we recognize and acknowledge there are barriers to participation. There are communities who cannot be at the table, while there are some communities who don’t even know there is a table. This is where the Department of Neighborhoods comes in.

This is not a power grab. It is a power share. At the heart of this Executive Order is a commitment to advance the effective deployment of equitable and inclusive community engagement strategies across all city departments. This is about making information and opportunities for participation more accessible to communities throughout the city.

“This is not about silencing voices. It’s the exact opposite. It’s about bringing more people into the conversations or at least creating opportunities for people to participate so they can be heard.”

Face-to-face meetings are incredibly important and those are not going away. But not every person can attend a community meeting, and the ability to do so should not determine who gets to participate and who gets to be heard.

We’d love to hear what tools YOU need to be successful and how WE can help you. Share your ideas with us:

This is about making things easier and less exhaustive. This is about connecting communities to government and to one another. This is about moving forward.

Kathy Nyland, Director
Seattle Department of Neighborhoods

]]>http://frontporch.seattle.gov/2016/07/25/advancing-equitable-outreach-and-engagement/feed/1People’s Academy for Community Engagement Now Accepting Applicationshttp://frontporch.seattle.gov/2016/07/19/pace_16-17/
Tue, 19 Jul 2016 18:03:27 +0000http://frontporch.seattle.gov/?p=5095Seattle Department of Neighborhoods is accepting applications to the People’s Academy for Community Engagement (PACE), our civic leadership development program for the next wave of community leaders. The fall session begins September 27 and runs through December 6.

During the 10-week program, 25-30 emerging leaders (18 years and up) will learn hands-on strategies for community building, accessing government, and inclusive engagement from experts in the field. PACE has a strong focus on Seattle’s community and neighborhood organizations and the city’s governmental structure and processes.

Fall sessions will be held on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Miller Community Center. Topics include: Approaches to Leadership, Government 101, Community Organizing, Inclusive Outreach and Public Engagement, Meeting Facilitation, Public Speaking, Conflict Resolution, and Sustaining Involvement.

Given the popularity of the program, PACE will be offered three times a year: winter, spring and fall. The winter session will begin in January of 2017. For more information, visit our webpage and for questions, email PACE@seattle.gov.

If your group needs funds to do a neighborhood project, our Neighborhood Matching Fund may be able to help. However, you’ll need to be quick because the application deadline for the Small and Simple Projects Fund is Monday, October 5 at 5:00 p.m. This fund provides awards of up to $25,000 to for community-building projects that are matched by community contributions.

The final workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, September 2 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at University Heights Community Center (Room 209), 5031 University Way NE. The workshop provides an overview of the Neighborhood Matching Fund, the qualities of a good project, and the application process and requirements. To RSVP, go online at surveymonkey.com/r/ZHM36BJ or call 206-233-0093. The workshop is open to all.

Our Neighborhood Matching Fund staff is available to advise groups on ways to develop successful applications and projects. You are strongly encouraged to call 206.233.0093 or email NMFund@seattle.gov to discuss your project idea with one of our project managers.

The Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF) Program awards matching funds for projects initiated, planned, and implemented by community members. Its goal is to build stronger and healthier neighborhoods through community involvement and engagement. Every award is matched by a neighborhood’s contribution of volunteer labor, donated materials, in-kind professional services, or cash.

]]>Next 50 Film Project seeks Seattle neighborhood storieshttp://frontporch.seattle.gov/2012/07/05/next-50-film-project-seeks-seattle-neighborhood-stories/
Thu, 05 Jul 2012 23:01:51 +0000http://frontporch.seattle.gov/?p=3064Seattle’s neighborhoods are rich with stories. A Story Runs Through It is a celebration of Seattle’s diverse communities through video storytelling. Residents are invited to submit short videos that tell a tale from their own neighborhoods and communities. This Next Fifty project aims to capture Seattle’s stories, engage and train communities in the art of filmmaking and build connections between neighborhoods. The submission deadline is Aug. 31. A free filmmaking workshop will take place 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, July 14 at Seattle Center. Register for the workshop and get more information about The Next Fifty Film Project here or watch a project video.
]]>Info to help you stay safe in this winter weatherhttp://frontporch.seattle.gov/2012/01/18/info-to-help-you-stay-safe-in-this-winter-weather/
Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:26:39 +0000http://frontporch.seattle.gov/?p=2670Visit our homepage and to get tools and information about the winter storm: http://www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods]]>Today’s hours for Neighborhood Service Centershttp://frontporch.seattle.gov/2010/11/23/todays-hours-for-neighborhood-service-centers/
Tue, 23 Nov 2010 20:17:30 +0000http://frontporch.seattle.gov/?p=1548Here is a list of Neighborhood Service Centers that serve as Payment and Information Service sites and today’s hours of operation due to weather conditions:

Lake City: Open – 9:00-5:00
Closed for lunch 1:00 – 2:00 pm

Ballard: Open – 9:00-5:00
Open for lunch

University: Closed

Central: Open – 9:00-5:00
Closed for lunch 1:00 – 2:00 pm

Southeast: Open – 9:00 – 5:00
Closed for lunch 1:00 – 2:00 pm

Delridge: Open until 3:30 p.m.

West Seattle: Closed

]]>Neighborhood Service Centers are open todayhttp://frontporch.seattle.gov/2010/11/22/neighborhood-service-centers-are-open-today/
Mon, 22 Nov 2010 17:20:29 +0000http://frontporch.seattle.gov/?p=1541Below are the Neighborhood Service Centers’ hours of operation for today, Monday, Nov. 22. All centers are open, however, most NSCs will be closing for lunch with the exception of two locations.Lake City:9:30 am – 5:00 pm
Closed for lunch 1:00-2:00

Ballard:9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Closed for lunch 1:00-2:00

University:10:00 am-6:00 pm
Closed for lunch 2:00-3:00

Central:9:30 am – 7:00 pm
Open for lunch

Southeast:9:00 am-5:00 pm
Open for lunch

West Seattle:9:00 am-5:00 pm
Closed for lunch 1:00-2:00 pm

Delridge:10:00 am-6:00 pm
Closed for lunch 2:00-3:00 pm

]]>Council approves neighborhood planning update legislationhttp://frontporch.seattle.gov/2010/10/05/council-approves-neighborhood-planning-update-legislation/
Tue, 05 Oct 2010 22:15:41 +0000http://frontporch.seattle.gov/?p=1404On Monday, October 4, the Seattle City Council passed resolutions recognizing the work of over 1,600 community members who worked with the City to update their neighborhood plans in the North Rainier (Res. 31247), Othello (Res. 31246), and North Beacon Hill (Res. 31245) neighborhoods. These documents include updated goals, policies and strategies for each neighborhood along with an action plan prioritizing projects for implementation. Click here to read the press release.
]]>Neighborhood Plan Update Action Teams kick-offhttp://frontporch.seattle.gov/2010/05/17/neighborhood-plan-update-action-teams-kick-off/
Mon, 17 May 2010 17:06:02 +0000http://frontporch.seattle.gov/?p=647In 2009 over 1,500 people helped plan the future of their neighborhoods in North Beacon, North Rainier and Othello.

Now it’s time to get things done. Come help prioritize next steps and sign up for project action teams.